Button-machine.



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' BUTTON MACHINE.

(Application filed Oct. 26,1BQ9.)

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Patented June 5, I900.

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Patented June 5, I900.

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BUTTON MACHINE.

(Application filed Oct. 26, 1899.) (No Model.) l2 Sheets Sheet s.

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No. 65!,2l3. Patented Juno 5, I900.

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(Application filed Oct. 28, 1899.)

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No. s5|,2|s; Patented Junie 5,1900;

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BUTTON MACHINE.

' (Application filed Oct. 26,1699.)

(No Model.) 12 Sheets-8heet s.

No. 65 I,2l3. Patented lune 5-, I900. F. SNOW. BUTTON MACHINE.

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No. 65l,2l3.. Patented lune 5-, moo;

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BUTTON MACHINE.

(Application filed Oct. 26, 1mm.)

(No Model.) l2 Sheets-Sheet ll.

I g vww tow mrzb% Sleazy, v I w i I aaaaaa ms PETERS cn, Puoroumo, WASHINGTON UNITED STATES PATENT Gama.

FREDERICK SNOl/V, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE TROY LAUNDRY MACHINERY COMPANY, LIMITED, OF TROY, NEW YORK.

BUTTON-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 651,213, dated d'une 5, 1966. Application filed October 26, 1899. Serial No. 734,835. (No model.)

To (tZZ whom it may concern.-

Be itknown that I, FREDERICK Snow, a citizen of the United States, residing at'Ohicago, in the county of Cook, State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Button-lVIachines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to a machine for making buttons and studs used in collars, cuffs, and shirts, especially by manufacturers of those articles and by laundrymen upon such goods when returned to their patrons.

Among the objects of the invention is .to provide a machine that will make buttons by a succession of operations upon a wire of metal or of any other suitable material, so that as the material is fed into the machine buttons are delivered therefrom by a continuous process which is automatic from beginning 10 end.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description, and the novel features of the invention are particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan; Fig. 2, a central vertical'longitudinal section; Fig. 3, a right side elevation; Fig. 4, a left side elevation; Fig. 5, a transverse vertical section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 1,look ing forward, of a machine embodying myinvention. Figs. 6 to 11, inclusive,are vertical sections of the immediate button-forming devices in their relative positions assumed in the several progressive steps of making buttons. Figs. 12 and 13 are sectional details of a punch-carrier and means for adjusting its working position. Fig. 14 is a perspective of the button-transferring nippers, with the vertically and longitudinally reciprocating heads carrying said nippers. Fig. 15 is a perspective of devices for moving the nippers rearwardly. Figs. 16 to 21 are details in perspective, elevation, and section of devices for preventing the withdrawal of a wire length or blank from a die at a withdrawal of a punch. Figs. 22 and 23 are a rear side perspective and a partial front side elevation of 24 is a perspective of nipper-opening levers and their support. Fig. 25 is a diagrammatic plan of devices for partially ejecting a partly-formed button from a. punch or die. Fig. 26 is a side elevation of devices, i11cluding an eccentric and a sliding cam, for opening and closing by intermediate connections a pair of split dies. Fig. 27 is a plan of a rock-shaft for raising and lowering the punch or die head. Fig. 28 is a perspective of means for moving the split-die carrier rearwardly away from the upper fixed die. Fig. 29 is a perspective of an arch carrying the nipperlever'operating cam andaprojection forforcing the longitudinally-reciprocating nipperhead forward. Fig. 30 is a perspective of the wirecutter-reciprocating devices. Fig. 31 is a perspective of the support and guide for the split dies and one of the die-carrying blocks. Fig. 31 is a detail of a split-diecarrying block.

Like reference characters are applied to like parts in all the figures of the drawings.

Broadly speaking, the operator of a ma chine embodying my invention first feeds a suitable length of wire; second, cuts it 0% from the main strand and moves the severed length into alinement with hollow punches opposing each other; third, gages said wire length or blank in said punches with the proper length within and between the punches to form the head, neck, and base of a button; fourth, partially upsets-that is, bulges-the blank at a predetermined point in its length to partly form the base of the button; fifth, completely upsets one end of the blank to form a completed base of the button; sixth, transfers the partly-formed button to a position opposite a head-forming die into which the unformed end of the blank is, seventh, 9o forced, thus completing the button, and, eighth, ejecting it from the die and machine. I This operation is automatic and continuous and may be the sole performance of my invention; but to increase the product of my .machine I- so arrange and time the acts of the successive operating parts that as a firstentered wire length reaches the head-forming die and a complete bottom is there formed a second-entered wire is having a completed ingrod 23 ride.

base formed thereon. In this manner the machine is operating upon two blanks at one and the same time.

\Vith this general statement I will nowproceed with a more particular description of the construction and operation of the various elements of the machine.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the drawings, in a main frame 1 there is a crank-shaft 2, carrying a belt wheel or pulley 3 and several eccentrics and earns by which and suitable connections movements in proper time are given to the active parts that work upon the material to form the button.

Feeding.-On the main shaft 2 is an eccentric 4 of an ordinary wire-feed mechanism comprising a connecting-rod 5 for actuating a rock-armdi, Fig. at, carrying a spring pullpawl 7, acting on a ratchet 8, mounted for rotating the shaft 9, carrying a gear 10, meshing with a gear 11 upon a parallel shaft, these shafts carrying the grooved feed-wheels 12 and 13, Fig. 3. The eccentric 4 has a throw sufficient to move the pawl over sucha number of teeth of the ratchet as to rotate the feed-wheels to force into the machine the desired length of wire X to form one button. As beforestated, this feeding mechanism is of well-known construction, and any desired mechanism of this character may be employed.

Cutting-of and moving bZcm7r..-Refer1-ing to Figs..1, 3, 5, 6, 22, 23, and 30, I will proceed to describe the devices employed for and their operation when cutting off and moving transversely a blank length from the main wire X. At the right end of the main shaft 2 is adisk 14:, adjustably mounted by bolts 37, and wrist-pin 15, on which is connected an. adjustable rod 16, pivoted to a sliding plate 17, mounted in a suitable boxing 18. AMeross-boxing 19, having a guiding-slot 20, is provided on the boxing 18. The plate 17 has .a curved slot- 21, in which rollerpins 22 and 22, Fig. 30, on a cutter-operat- The lower roller-pin 22 rides in guidingslot 20 of the cross-boxing 19. The inner end of rod 23 is secured to the cutter 24, Fig. 5, after it passes through anysuitable guide loop or bracket 25. The outer end of rod 23 abuts against an adjusting-screw 2G in a bracket 27, secured to or formed on the main frame 1. A spring 2 extending from a bracket 29 to a pin 30, projecting from red 23, tends to render the movementoftherod 23 smooth and even. The cutter, Figs. 5, 6, 22, and 23, comprises a body portion 31, having seated in its rear face a tempered'steel cutting-blade 32 an d a pivoted wire-holding latch 33, normally closing the entrance to the cutting-blade under the tension of spring 34, mounted on the body 31. The wire-receiving position of the cutter is shown in Figs. 5 and 6 at the left of the vertical. central line of the machine, said line beingthat of the location of the head and base forming dies and punches, being the line of sections shown in Figs. 7 to 11, inclusive, Fig.6 being on the wire-receiving vertical line; This being the construction, the operation is as follows: At each revolution of the main shaft the plate 17 is moved forward and backward. In the forward movement the pinroller riding in the slot 21 is moved toward the frame and causes an inward travel of rod 23 and cutter 24. It is understood that a blank length of wire has been fed into the machine through the cutter back of and beneath the latch 33. As the cutter travels transversely of the machine from the wire receiving and guiding tube 35, Figs. 1, 3, and 6, to the central vertical line of the dies and punches it (the cutter) severs the wire and by the spring-pressure of the latch thereon retains and carries the blank to a point in line with the punches and dies. When thus in line, the punches and dies engage the wire, as hereinafter described, and .having control of the blank hold it when the cutter is rctracted, at which time the. spring-pressed latch 33 yields upwardly, freeing the cutter from the blank. The cutter is retracted to a point exactly opposite. the guide-tube 35 to receive the next length of wire forced in by the feed at a proper interval of time to allow of the above-described movement of the cut;- ter. Now bymeans of the set-screw 26 the exact location of the cutting-blade relative to the wire receiving and guiding tube 35 may be accomplished, so that the wirewill certainly be fed through the cutter, and by means of the adjustable rod 16 and bolts 37, Fig. 3, the riding of pin-roller 22 upon and Qfora desired distance along the curve of the slot 21 of plate 17 may be nicely regulated in distance and time, the latter by bolts 37, so as to determine the presen tationof the blank exactly in time and in line with the punches and dies. These features for severing and transferring a blank are important to any successful machine and may be employed independent of the remaining structure herein shown and described.

Gag/ ag the wire bZan7a.-'l-his operation is essential because it requires more of the blank to form the base than the head of the button. Again, it is a problem requiring special solution to upset a slim wire to an extent sutlicient to form the comparativcly-broad base of the button. Furthermore, the base of the button must not be irregular in contour or thick and heavy, but must be regular and comparatively thin. To. prod uce such a base from comparatively-shm wire requires additional consideration beyond the determination of the proportion of the blank which shall be appropriated for the base, theneck, and the head. Gaging the blank therefore requires accurate action of the machine, while the disposition of the material of the blanks after it is accurately gaged requires some method of operation adapted to the peculiar dimension in crossscetion of the material of the blank.

Broadly speaking, the wire is fed farther into the machine than the position that the blank occupies when first operated upon by the punches or hollow dies. After the-wire is cut and transferred it occupies such advanced position, and then a movable hollow punch or die advances toward and receives one end of the blank and forces its other end in a direction opposite to that of the feed into a companion punch or die until the wire abuts against an obstruction predetermined in its position to gage the extent of entrance of the wire and the amount of the blank to be appropriated for the head, neck, and base of the button to be made therefrom. Then to accomplish the comparatively very broad 'upsetting to form the base a preliminary or partial upsetting or bulging of the blank substantially at its mid-length is performed, and subsequently the end projecting beyond the preliminary upset is wholly upset upon and homogeneously united with the preliminary upset to form a practically-solid base. Now taking the Wire in the advanced position shown in Fig. 6 and comparing its position in Fig. 7 it will be seen that the blank has been moved to the left by the advancing hollow punch. To facilitate understanding the invention, arrows in the various figures indicate direction of movement, and the terms punches and dies are used to indicate the work performed by such parts. Adie is understood to be a forming part or device, while a punch is a receiving and holding part or device. It will be found that there -is one die which is also a punch-that is, said die is hollow and constitutes a die-punch. It is apparent, however, that this compound device might be replaced by a punch and a separate die; but as this would complicate the machine the form shown is employed Gaging and upsetting devices-The part 38, Figs. 7 to 1l,'inclusive, is a die-punch. In Fig. 7 the cutter 24 is shown in vertical section and in its non-retracted position. There are two fixed and three movable dies and punches, as follows: the lower fixed gagingpunch and preliminary-upsetting die 38, the

upper fixed head-forming die 39, the lower base-forming die 40, the middle gaging-punch and preliminary-upsetting die 41, and the base-finishing die 42. The first two are fixed and the last three are movable. The upper die 42 projects farther from its support than the remaining movable dies, and therefore a recess 43 is formed to receive it when advancing in the plane of the recess. The fixed dies are mounted in a fixed part of the framel, and the movable dies are mounted'on a vertically-reciprocating punch-head 44, carried by a horizontally-reciprocating cross-head 45. The upper movable die 42 is set in a bracket 46, bolted to the head 44, as are dies 40 and 41 in a bracket 47. Proper connections and motion imparting means hereinafter described give the head, cross-head, and nipthe rod.

pers 48 the various motions indicated by the arrows.

The parts described move from their positions shown in Fig. 6 to those shown in Fig. 7. The movable dies have advanced toward the fixed dies, and the wire blank has entered the die-punch 38 until it meets pin 49, and it has also entered-punch 41 until it has met an obstruction in the form of a spring-pressed pin 50, the spring 51 bearing against block 52, resting against the punch-head 44 and being a part of slide 132, Fig. 21. The pin 49 extends to a lever 53, Fig. 25, pivoted to the frame 1, (see Fig. 2,) and serves not only as a gaging obstruction, but to partly eject the blank after the base is formed by means of the rod 54 and cam 55. A spring 57 retracts The partial ejecting of the blank enables the nippers 48 to take the same (see Fig. 11) and transfer it to the upper headforming dies 39 and 42. After gaging the blank the movable dies continue their advancement, and punch 41 and die-punch 38 slightly upset the blank at about its midlength, as shown in Fig. 8. In this operation the ejector-pin 49, gaging obstruction 50, and the frictional contact of the dies hold the blank against movement. Die 42 is now in recess 43. The next movement of the diehead is backward and upward, and at this step in the operation care must be taken to prevent the die 41 from drawing the blank from diepunch 38. The provision ofmeans insuring this care is made by devices to be hereinafter described. Another feature to be now observed is that-the upward movement of the die and punch head is just sufficient to bring die 40 in exact line with the die-punch 38, so that it may complete the base; also, that the punch-head has already made one advance to gage the blank, so that two horizontallyreciprocating movements of the head are made at each revolution of the main shaft, for a feed of new stock occurs but once during each revolution of said shaft. This double advance of the movable dies is produced by the crank-and -toggle-lever connection of the cross-head 45, as hereinafter described. As head 44 recedes and rises it withdraws punch 41 from the partlyupset blank and'brings die 40 opposite die-punch 38, in which the blank remains, and then advancing die 40 completes the upsetting of the blank to form the base. Now the rod 49 partly ejects the blank from die-punch 38, and the nippers 48 now seize the blank and carry it up in front of head-dies 39. In the meantimethat is, after rod or pin 49 has ejected and nippers 48 have removed the blank from die-punch 38-a succeeding blank has been brought opposite said punch 38 and head 44 has been lowered to gage said succeeding blank. In actual work the act of the lower die 40 in completing the base, as just described, is accompanied with the simultaneous act of dies 39 and 42 in forming the head of a preceding blank; but as an initial blank has been referred to reference is now had to the second or succeeding blank introduced, and for the moment disregarding the operation on said initial blank, letting it rest in position to be headed, (having lowered the head and gaged the succeeding blank, die 42 entering recess 5L3 below the upper fixed headforming die 39, and then retracting the head and raising it after the partial upsetting of the second blank to fully upset and form a base on it,) the cooperative parts are in the position shown in Fig. 9. At this time,just before the final upsetting, the nippers, having carried the first blank upward, move to the front and a pair of split dies letl move against and seize the blank by the neck, after which the nippers open and the punch, or head-finishing die advances and forces the blank into the head-die 89, forming a head of that portion of the blank projecting out beyond the split dies, they being mounted on carriage 164: for movement with the die 42. At the same time and during the same movement of the punch-head the lower die has finally upset the second blank to form the base. A slight countersinking of the headdie 42 (see Fig. 6) serves to put a finishing touch on the previously fully upset base of the button. This function of the movable head die or punch, may or may not be employed as desired.

It now remains to eject the completed button from the machine. Referring to Figs. 2, 5, and 14, there will be seen mounted on the front of the nipper-carriage a projection 58, which on the downward movement of the nippers passes directly in line with the finished button as it projects from the upper fixed head-forming die 30, (the split-dies being open,) the frictional contact of the material being sufficient to hold the completed button. The contact of projection 58 knocks the button from the die and down a passage 59 (see Fig. 2 and dotted lines in Fig. 5) into a trough 60, Fig. 2, which conduct sit into any suitable receptacle. A deflecting plate or trough 61 is located immediately below the projection to deflect the button into the passage 59.

It now remains to describe the devices and connections for giving the dies, punches, and nippers the various motions hereinbefore mentioned, as well as the means for preventing a withdrawal of the blank from the lower fixed die and the double advance and retreat of the punch at each revolution of the main shaft. Fig. 2 shows plainly the connection of the punch-head and cross-head with the main shaft. 02 indicates the cranks on the main shaft, and 63 a connecting-rod which is mounted at its free end on the pivot 64 of the toggle-levers G5 and 66. The toggle-lever 65 is pivoted in a cross-beam 67, adj ustably mounted in the frame 1, by means of bolts 68, and a wedge 69 arranged between the cross bar and frame and adjusted by the bolt 70,

nut 71, and bracket 72. The forward togglelever 66 is pivoted to the cross-head 45. The pivot 64 is substantially in the same vertical plane as the center of the main shaft. This arrangement produces two reciprocations of the cross-head during each revolution of the main shaft. Starting with the crank upright, the middle toggle-pivot being at the highest point it reaches above a straight line passing through the three pivots, the crank moving downward to the left, Fig. 2, the toggles approaching said sti'aight linhnove the cross head and the punch-head thereon toward the front. The crank continuing to a point he lowthe center of the shaft depresses the toggle below said straight line, drawing the crosshead backward, giving one reciprocation, and the further movement of the crank from the point below the center of the shaft upward to the right raises the middle pivot of the toggles to the said straight line, again forcing the cross-head forward, and the continued movement of the crank to complete a circle raises the middle pivot above a straight line, which again draws the cross-head to the rear, giving a second reciprocation. Taking the parts as shown in Fig. 2, at the first forward movement of the cross-head the head is formed upon the upper blank and the final upsetting takes place on the lower blank to form its base. (See Fig. 10.) At the first backward movement of the cross-head the parts assume the positions shown in Fig. 7. At the second forward movement the preliminary upsetting takes place, Fig. 8, and at the second backward movement the punchhead is raised, so that at the first forward movement of the next revolution the base and head forming dies are brought again into action.

Raising and Z0 wering the pzmch-head. Upon the inner face of disk 14 is a camgroove 73 (see dotted lines, Fig. 3) for recip rocating a slide 74, riding in gibs 75 on the frame 1. An adj nstable connecting-rod 7 6 extends from the slide to a rock-arm 77, having a slot 78, in which the end of the connecting-rod may be secured at various points to determine the extent of movement given by the slide to the rock-arm, and thus the extreme points of rest of the punches and dies are regulated coarsely by the slot connection and to a finer degree by the adjustment on the connecting-rod. The rock-arm 77 is rigidly secured on a shaft 79, mounted on and extending transversely under the frame 1, and having a central bifurcated rock-arm 80, (see Fig. 27,) embracing a rotatable block 81, adapted to receive a rigid pin 82, projecting from the lower end of the punch-head 44. The cam 7 3 is so timed with relation to the crank 62 as to effect the raising and lowering of'the punch-head agreeably with the reciprocations of the cross-head in order to secure the cooperation of these parts and the fixed dies, as hereinbefore described.

Nipper; operating deviccs.0n the main IIO . ends to open the nippers.

The arch 119 also sup-- i in a downwardly-projecting lip 106.

shaft at the left of crank 62 is a disk 83, Figs; ports a bracket 122, provided with an anti- 1 and 4, having a face cam-groove 84, for operating a slide 85, which is connected by a link 57 with one arm of a short rock-shaft 86, the other arm 87 of which is connected by an adjustable rod 88 with one arm 89 of a similar rock-shaft 90 by a bolt-and-slot structure 91, secured in adjustment by a set-screw 92, while the other arm 93 of the rock-shaft 90 is connected by a rod 94 with the verticallyreciprocative nipper-carriage 95. Duplicating the rock-shafts 86 and 90 increases the extent of movement in the rod 94, and by interposing the adjusting-rod 88 the finer regulation of the time of movement of the nippercarriage is accomplished, the bolt-and-slot structure 91 giving the coarser regulations.

Referring now to Fig. 14, 96 is a standard bolted upon the frame by means of the flange 97, and upon this standard the nipper-carriage is mounted to move up and down when operated by the rod 94. Upon the inner face of the carriage there is slidin'gly mounted one leg 98 of a bracket, the other leg 99 of which constitutes a holder for the nippers 48. This holder is in the form of gibs embracing a lateral arm 100, projecting from a hollow head 101, in which the nipperjaws are pivoted, as at 102. Springs 103, secured to thehead, project against each jaw to normally press them together. Each jaw has below its pivot a rearward projection 104. The leg 98 ends in an incline 105, terminating This lip is adapted tobe caught by a lip 107 on a sliding rod 108, mounted in a bearing 109, secured upon the frame 1. (See Fig. 15.) The rod is retracted bya spring 110 and is drawn rearwardly bya lever 111, pi voted to a bracket 112, when struck by a cam 113 on the face of disk 83, mounted on the main shaft. It will be seen that connection of the lips 106 and 107 can take place only when the nippers are at the lowest point of their travel, and therefore the purpose of said connection and rearward movement of the rod 108 is to withdraw the blank from the lowerdie 38 after the base is formed thereon, as hereinbefore described.

The nippers are opened by means of the levers 114 and 115, pivoted at 116 in'a box 117, (see Fig. 24,) which is mounted on the punchhead (see Fig. 1) by means of a bolt passing through the box and into the head, as shown. The projectingends of the levers are provided with anti'friction-rollers and are normally drawn toward each other at their front ends by a spring 118. The device for operating the levers 114 and consists of an arch 119, carrying a bifurcated plate 120, Figs. 1 and 29, said bracket being mounted upon the frame in the vertical path of the levers 114 and 115, so that in a forward movement of the punch-head at its upper position the enlargement 121 of the plate act as cams upon the rear ends of the levers and cause their front They are closed by the springs 103.

friction-roller 123, which bracket is in the path of the incline 105 of the leg 98 of the nipper-carrying bracket, so that as the nipper-carriage rises and falls the nippers are changed from one vertical plane to another to be in position to allow die 42 to advance when the nippers are opened by the plate and to be spring-pressed to a closed position when the arms 114 and 115 escape from said plate. Incline 105 and bracket 122 (see Fig. 4) force the nippers forward when they rise after the rod 108 has drawn them rearwardly at the time the nippers are down.

Prevention of accidental withdrawal of blank from die-punch 38.It has been hereinbefore mentioned that great care must be exercised at that step in the progress of the machine wherein the punch-head retreats and rises to substitute the die 40 for the punch 41 in the position to operate upon the blank immediately after the preliminary upsetting has been performed thereon. The position line with the blank has a tendency to withdraw the blank from die-punch 38, and the description will be now given of the devices employed to prevent such withdrawal. It will be conceded that if any device be provided which shall prevent sufficient frictional contact of the blank in punch 41 as the punchhead retreats the liability to withdraw the blank will be overcome.

Reference will now be made to Figs. 6 and 16 to 21, inclusive. Referring to Figs. 6 and 16, 50 is the obstruction or pin in die 41,which is mounted in the bracket 47, which in turn is secured to the punch-head by a rib-andbolt construction, which permits of the lateral adjustment of the bracket 47 on the head.

To be more specific as to the particular means employed in this instance, the bracket 47 is provided with a rib 125, which rides in a groove formed in the punch-head 44 and transversely thereon,while a bolt 126 projects from the punch-head, passing through a sleeve 127, which is in a slot 128, formed in a projection upon the bracket, and set-screws 129 retain the bracket in any lateral adjustment thereof, which is exercised for the purpose of centering the punches. A set-screw 130 is provided for each punch in order that it may be secure] y retained in the bracket. The pin 50 is backed by a spring 51, which is cushioned against a block 52, formed as or on a plate 132 and which is adapted to move within the body of the bracket and is provided with a projection 133, which passes through a slot in the wall of the bracket. This projection 133 has a beveled lower surface. A projection 134 is provided on the bracket below the projection 133 and terminates in aV- point or double-beveled end 135. Now recalling the fact that the bracket advances and IIO retracts with the punch and cross heads it will be seen that if the obstruction is put into the path of the lug or projection as the bracket recedes the plate 132 will be held against retraction and the spring 51 will be compressed and exert a pressure on the pin 50, and this in turn will exert force against the end of the blank in the punch 41, and thus serve to force the blank out of the punch before the punch and bracket will have begun to rise. A spindle 50 may (see Fig. 21) or may not (see Figs. 6, 7, and S) be used, projecting from the pin 50, so-that if the tension of spring 51 be not so fficient to force the blank out the spindle will be struck by the plate 52, and thus produce the desired result. The application of the obstruction to the sliding plate projection 133 should be held but for a brief period of time, so that the retraetive and upward movement of the punch-head may take place in its proper time.

The device which is employed to cause the plate 132 to slide and the pin to eject the blank from the punch is a trip 136. This trip is mounted on a slide in ways 137, formed in the bracket 138, which projects from the frame in such a manner that the trip 136 shall be in the path of the projection 133 of the sliding plate 132, while a lower V-shaped trip 139, carried by the same slide 140 which carries the trip 136, is in the path of the V-point of the projection 131 of the bracket 47.

Figs. 13, 19, and 20 illustrate the passage of the bracket 17 and the action of the trip on the projection 133. The arrows indicate the movements of the parts. A spring 131 tends to keep the projection 136 elevated, while the inclined upper surface of the trip 136, riding in contact with the projection 133, has the effect of depressing the trip and the slide. In Fig. 18 the punch-block and projection are traveling to the right while the point 135 is riding on one of the inclined faces of the block 139. This depresses slide and projection 136 so that the projection 133 passes without being operated to slide the plate 132. This operation takes place in an advance of the punch-head. In Fig. 19 the curved arrows indicate a retraetive movement of the punch head and bracket 17, wherein the V-point 135 is riding an opposite incline of the projection 13!), and thus raises the slide 140 and trip 136 upwardly into the path of the projection 133, so that the plate 132 is caused to compress the spring and force the pin 50 against the blank, thereby clearing it from the punch 41. Asthe point 135 reaches and passes over the apex of the projection 139 the trip 136 is depressed by the spring 131, so as to allow the passage of the projection 133 in the further outward and subsequent upward movement of the bracket 47 and of the punch-head. In this waya momentary foreing of the blank out of the punch is accomplished. The plate 132 and its projection 133 may be termed an ejector-operating device, and the eoacting trip 136 and its adthe rock-shaft, rides. trated in Figs. 1, 3, 5, and 26. I 167, mounted on the main shaft, has its rod 168 extended in a position parallel with the juncts may be termed an ejector-actuating device.

Split (lies-A reference to Figs. 5 to 11, inclusive, will show the presence of split dies 141 in various positions with relation to the head-die 39. The split dies and the head-die are mounted in a carriage 146, and it will be noted that the carriage also is shown in varied positions with relation to the frame of the machine to which the lower die-punch 38 is fixedly secured. In Fig. 6 while the wire is being fed into the machine the die-carriage 116 is in a retracted position. In Fig. 7 said carriage is thrown forward during the operation of gaging the blank and while the preliminary upsetting and also while the final usetting of the base is accomplished. In the act of the final upsetting (see Fig. 10) it will be noted that the carriage 146 has retracted a distance and that the die 42 isbearing against the completed base of the button. Thedistance that the carriage has been retracted is about equal to the extent of pro jection of the die 42 beyond that. of the dies 40 and 41. This fact is clearly shown in comparing Fig. 8 with Fig. 10. The reciprocation of the carriage 146 is produced by a cam 117 on disk 1-1, Figs. 1. and 28, which acts upon a push-rod 14S, bearing against an arm 14!) of a rock-shaft mounted in a bracket 150, projecting from the frame, the other arm 151 of which rock shaft acts upon an arm 152, carrying a belt 153, which bears against a lug 15% on the carriage 146. The arm 15.2 is rigidly secured to a rockshaft 155 in bearings 142, Fig. 1, bearing a companion arm 156, that acts upon the earriage by similar means to that mounted in arm 152. vAdjusting-sorews 157 enable an accurate determination of the operation of the rock-shaft and rod 148. Upon the carriage 146 are the bearings 158 for a rockshaft 159, (see Figs. 1, .2 and 5,) the arms 160 of which are connected by links to toggles 161, a pair of which is provided for each half of the split die 141. A key 162 and bolt 163 serve to adjustably secure the die per se in its carrier or block 161. The necessary motion of the rock-shaft to open and close the split dies is communicated thereto by a cambar 164, having a surface cam 165 thereon upon which a T-head 166, rigidly secured to These parts are illus- Aneceentric cam-bar 164, and said rod is provided with a pin 169, which passes through said cam-bar, whereby the same is reciprocatcd,and the und ulating surface of the cam 165 causes the T-head to oscillate, and thus acts upon the rock-shaft to raise and lower the toggles 161, and thus open and close the split dies 141. These parts are timed to perform these operations in proper relation to the remaining elements of the machine.

The split-die carriage 146 (see Fig. 31) is provided with suitable seats 170 for the pivotal support of the outer ends of the outer toggles 161 and a suitable track 171 for the die-block 164 to travel upon, which block is provided with a pivotal bearing for the inner toggle, as clearly shown in Fig. 5. A grooved way 172 is provided for the rib 173, projecting from the rear of each die-block 164. Slots 171 are provided in the die-carriage for the reception of travel limiting pins 175, Fig. 1.

Upper head-forming punch.\Vhile any desired description of punches and dies and carriers therefor may be employed, in an embodiment of the invention in Figs. 12 and 13 are shown the details of construction, mounting, and adjustment of the upper head-die holder, in" which 176 is the part having the recess 177 for receiving the die proper. The part or holder 176 is seated in a recess 178, formed in the face of a block 179, mounted on and embracing a projection 13st on block 184, through which the bolt-receiving opening 180 extends, while the bolt 181 therein is screw-threaded,as shown, into the holder 176, thereby firmly retaining the holder against the recessed block and,ifdesired, also against the end wall of the projection 18% of block 181. An adjusting-screw 182 serves for determining the position of the holder in the recess vertically. Within the main or foundation block 18% there is a recess 183, in which is located block 181, which is a secondary or spacing block. A recess 185 in said block receives a pin 186 on the main or foundatio-n block 184 The rear edge of the spacing-block 184 is inclined with relation to its face, and between it and the vertical rear wall of the recess 183 is inserted an adjustingwedge 187, the screw 188 serving to retain said wedge in an adjusted position. The purpose of the bolt 181 is to maintain in rigid condition the holder 176 after it is once adjusted by the devices described. The wedge 187 is to provide fine longitudinal adjustment of the holder. Fig. 13 is a section on the line 13 13 of Fig. 12, and it shows laterally-perforated flanges 189, through which bolts 190, Fig. 1, passinto the frame 1, upon which the upper head-die is mounted.

To adjust the feed-rollers 12 and 13 to feed wires of various sizes, the shaft of the upper roll 12 is mounted near one end in abearing supported on pivots 191, Fig. 1, and near the other end by a bearing having an arm 192, which projects through bracket 193, projecting from frame 1. (See Fig. 2.) A screw 194 passes through the bracket and bears upon the arm 192, so as to regulate the pressure of feed-wheel 12 upon the wire. By the same screw the feed-wheels are adapted to wires of varied sizes. 195, Figs. 1 and 3, is a wedge controlled by the bolt 196, projecting from the end of the frame and passing through a flange 197, formed at the end of the wedge and provided with a set-nut 198 in order to maintain the wedge in an adjusted position. frame 1 and the split-die carriage 146.

The description of the details of construction hereinbefore appearing are merely of one of many forms which may be employed, these matters being within the skill of the mechanical constructor of a machine embodying the invention. It is therefore apparent that to these features the invention is not limited.

hat is claimed as new is 1. In a machine for making buttons from material in wire form, forming-dies, wirefeeding devices, cutting mechanism, and means independent of the dies for gaging the severed blank; substantially as specified.

2. In a machine of the character described, wire-feeding mechanism, cutting mechanism, and means mounted on the cutter for transferring a blank after it is severed from the main wire; substantially as specified.

3. In a machine of the character described, feeding mechanism combined with cutting mechanism adapted to hold and transfer a severed blank from the position where it is severed to a position to be operated upon by other devices; substantially as specified.

4. Ina machine of the character described, the combination of feeding mechanism, a single device constituting a combined cutting and transferring mechanism, and gaging mechanism; substantially as specified.

5. The combination of wirefeeding mechanism, cutting and transferring mechanism, head and base forming dies and. gaging mechanism independentof said dies; substantially as specified.

6. The combination of feeding mechanism and cutting mechanism provided with blankretaining devices; substantially as specified.

7. The combination with feeding mechanism, of movable cutting mechanism provided with a latch operating to retain a severed blank, whereby the severed blank is carried from one position t o another; substantially as specified.

8. The combination with feeding mechanism of cutting mechanism provided with spring-pressed pivoted latch; substantially as specified.

9. The combination with feeding mechanism, cutting mechanism provided with a blank-retaining device, and means for moving the cutting mechanism beyond the point necessary for severing the blank; substantially as specified.

10. The combination of feeding mechanism, cutting mechanism provided with a blank-retaining device means for reciprocating said cutting mechanism, and gaging means arranged a distance from the point of severance by the cutting mechanism; substantially as specified.

11. The combination of feeding devi es, cutting and transferring devices, and gaging devices arranged adjacent to the point offseverance of a blank by the cutting devices, and

This wedge is inserted between the.

IIO

means for ejecting the blank lengthwise from the gaging devices; substantially as specitied.

12. In a machine of the character described, hollow gaging devices having obstructions for determining the position of a blank therein, and means for ejecting the blank lengthwise therefrom; substantially as specified.

113. In a machine of the character described, hollow gaging devices having automaticallymovable obstructions for determining the position of a blank therein; substantially as specified.

14. In a machine of the characterdescribed, gaging devices having each a movable obstruction, one of which is adapted to eject a blank therefrom; substantially as specified.

15. The combination in gaging devices, of means for locating a blank in one member thereof disproportionally to the amount of material to be consumed in successive operations thereon, and obstructions to the entrance of the blank into said devices, one of which obstructions is spring-pressed, and of means for moving one of said gaging devices toward the other to proportionally arrange the blank; substantially as specified.

1G. The combination of gaging devices capable of relative movement toward each other, the one having an obstruction yieldingly mounted therein, and the other having therein an obstruction relatively, fixedly,mounted; substantially as specified.

17. The combination with gaging devices, one of which has a yielding obstruction and the other a relatively-fixed obstruction, of means for moving the relatively-fixed obstruction to eject a blank therefrom; substantially as specified.

18. In a machine of the characterdescribed, feeding mechanism,combined gaging and preliminary-upsetting mechanism and final-upsetting mechanism acting on the preliminarily-upset portion; substantially as specified.

19. In a machine of the character described, feeding mechanism,severingmechanism, preliminary-upsetting mechanism and final-up- Setting mechanism acting on the preliminarily-upset portion; substantially as specitied.

20. The combination of a die and of gaging devices, one of which operates as a die and means for bringing said devices and dies together to form a preliminary upsetting of material; substantially as specified.

21. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a relatively-fixed preliminary-upsetting die, with relatively-movable, preliminary upsetting and final upsetting dies, and means for bringing the latter dies successively into operative position with the former; substantially as specified.

22. The combination with a preliminary fixed upsetting-die, of a movable preliminaryupsetting die and a movable final-upsetting die, a fixed heading-die and a movable heading-die, and means for bringing the preliminary and final upsetting dies successively into a single operative position; substantially as specified.

23. The combination of preliminary-upsetting dies, a final-upsetting die, means for partially ejecting a blank from one of the firstmentioned dies, and means for transferring the partially-ejected blank to the head-forming dies; substantially as specified.

24. The combination of a heading-die, a base-forming die, means for partly ejecting a blank from the base-forming die, and nippers constructed and arranged to withdraw the blank from the base-formin g die and trans fer it to a position to be operated upon by the heading-die; substantially as specified.

25. The combination of a base-forming die, blank-transferring devices, a heading-die, a movable split die, and a movable base-finishing die, and means for moving the latter toward the split and head-forming dies; substantially as specified.

26. The'combination with a heading-die, split neck and bracing die, a base-finishing die, and means for moving the latter and the split die toward the head-die; substantially as specified.

27. The combination with a fixed headingdie and a fixed base-forming die, of base and head finishing dies mounted for vertical and horizontal reciprocation with relation to said fixed dies; substantially as specified.

28. The combination of a relatively-fixed heading and a gaging and base-forming die, with a head-finishing die and base-forming die and a gaging-punch, the three latter bein g mounted for vertical and horizontal movement with relation to the fixed dies; substantially as specified.

29. The combination with a relatively-fixed heading die and relatively fixed gaging' to the latter between their successive opera tions; substantially as specified.

32. The combination With blank-transfer ring nippers, of split dies arranged and operated to support and move with a blank after the nippers are released therefrom; substantially as specified.

The combination with a die-holder, a recessed block for receiving the same and an ad j ustin g-bolt passing through the block into 

